There’s no denying that poker involves a lot of skill and psychology. Even if you’re just a break-even beginner, the game can still teach you some valuable lessons that will improve your overall skill set.
1. It teaches you how to classify players into types.
When you play poker, it’s important to learn to identify your opponents and exploit their tendencies. You can do this by reading tips and applying them on the felt and studying hands off the felt. It’s also a good idea to write your findings down so you can refer back to them later. The more you learn about your opponents, the better you will be able to play the game.
2. It teaches you how to evaluate risk and reward.
There’s no doubt that poker improves your math skills. When you’re in a hand, you quickly begin to calculate the odds of winning and losing. This can help you make smart decisions in the future, even away from the poker table.